World Prehistory by Brian Fagan: Worth the money?

I've been looking at World Prehistory: A Brief Introduction by Brian M. Fagan and am trying to decide if I should buy it. It sounds very interesting and like it covers more than most prehistory books. On the other hand, it's pretty expensive and there's no way to preview a before buying.

So I'm wondering if it's worth the money. Do any of you have the book? Can anyone give their opinion on it? I mean, there are 85 members that have the book, but only 3 rated it and no review. Amazon isn't much better, with only 3 review.

Any info to help me make this decision is very much appreciated!

I haven't read it so can't help there, but there are some inexpensive used copies available through Amazon and probably elsewhere. Or maybe interlibrary loan?

It's a college textbook. As such, there's a new edition every couple of years, mainly to prevent the used market from cutting into new sales. Each editions may have a bit of new info but, really, you may as well look for a used copy of an earlier edition. Another thing is that it's a condensed version of his People of the Earth {wrong touchstone}.

3> Ah, I did not know it was the condensed verion of People of the Earth. So, I checked out that book instead (still expensive) and while yes, there are some second-hand version available, they're still on the expensive side of the scale.

Do you have People of the Earth (or have you read it? What did you think about it?

My problem with older editions, who are indeed much cheaper, is this: in the field of science there's always a lot of change. I know for a fact that in the field of human evolution there were quite a few large changes in order of hominids and several other theories in the past few years. The latest edition is therefore the most accurate, especially since there's 6 years between the latest edition and the previous one.

If you're particularly interested in human evolution, then yes, a few years can make a big difference; but in that case, I'd advise a specifically human evolution book anyway. World prehistory textbooks do cover human evolution but only briefly; they're primarily about the archaeology of Homo sapiens. And the interpretive turnover in archaeology is not nearly as rapid, nor are its implications as far-reaching, as in human evolution. So if it's world prehistory that you're looking for, then an earlier edition would be just fine.

Another thing about world prehistory, at least for the textbooks, is that recurrent patterns are the important thing and despite soundbites the latest discovery rarely changes much. (Even Kennewick Man and Chile's Monte Verde didn't really surprise many people.) Many recognizable sites get short shrift because, while they're pretty to look at, there's not as much to say about them as their impressiveness might suggest. Contrariwise there is much discussion of sites of which no-one's ever heard outside of world prehistory, because they're the ones that best illustrate the Patterns in Prehistory.

Ah, good to know changes aren't so rapid in this field! I'm used to looking at things like human evolution from a biological standpoint, and have no knowledge of archeology when it comes to Homo sapiens early history. (This changes when it comes to civilizations with writing, so I suppose I should've know).

I'm interested in the archaeology, so this book will be a good fit, I think. I have a book that's focussed on human evolution until the first modern Homo sapiens, and while it does take some time to speak of things like tool use and spreading out over the world, it's mostly focussed on the biology and differences between the hominid species and how the evolution of hominids is thought to have happened. Now I'm looking for a more historical 'why, what, when' approach, instead of the biological 'how'.

I love Fagan's books, but I would also recommend you get an earlier version. It could be the difference between paying 100 Euros, and 100 cents ;-)

I am reading and pondering Scarre (et al) The Human Past 2nd edition, also a college textbook. How does it compare with Fagan?

I have 5 of his books, though not the one you're after. I have found them good reading, well written, with an emphasis on past environmental changes & their influence on human societies & their evolution.

Thank you all very much for your comments. It's always nice to know that a writer is good before buying one of his books.

I ended up ordering the previous edition 2nd hand. If the seller still has it, I'll save 85 euro for buying this edition instead of the new edition; quite a price difference!

The only slight knock against Fagan's books (though not Dr. Fagan himself) is I've noticed some errors in the paperback versions of his more "popular" books, like The Long Summer and The Little Ice Age. Not usually anything drastic, but sometimes notable; though like I say, this has more to do with the editing/publishing than anything.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/109772&work=95731#2758625

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I liked People of the Earth a lot. That's different from the question of whether it's worth the money, but I see there are decent used copies on Amazon of 2006 12th edition for $3 plus shipping

My book arrived today and I'm very happy with it. Haven't read it yet, just browsed, but it seems like a great overview of prehistory and it doesn't skip early human civilizations like Australians that most books I've seen do.

Also, I was amazed by the inclusion of old world civilizations. I already love the fact that there's a 'guid to further reading' at the end of each chapter, with not just titles but also a brief reason for why Fagan thinks the book is so good. That'll certainly come in handy!

I'm sure I'll get lots of enjoyment out of this book :D.